Methods of administering intravenous meloxicam in a bolus dose

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to meloxicam bolus formulations and methods of administering the same intravenously, for treatment of pain, which can provide fast onset of pain relief suitable for management of acute moderate to severe pain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/297,095, filed May 8, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,458,145, whichclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/640,232, filed Mar. 8, 2018; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/652,656, filed Apr. 4, 2018; and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/749,407, filed Oct. 23, 2018; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/297,095 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/297,020, filed Mar. 8, 2019, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,881,663. The contents of these applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to methods of administering meloxicam fortreatment of pain, including intravenous bolus administration.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Meloxicam(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide)is a long-acting non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) thatpossesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities,which are believed to be related to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase(COX) and subsequent reduction in prostaglandin biosynthesis. Meloxicamhas been marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. sincethe 1990's as an oral agent, Mobic®. Mobic is used for treatment ofsymptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Oral meloxicam, however, has a slow onset of action, largely due to poorwater solubility. The oral form has a prolonged absorption time, withthe time of maximum observed plasma concentration (t_(max)) beingapproximately 5-7 hours following oral administration, which isconsistent with its poor water solubility. Because of the slow onset ofaction, oral meloxicam is not used for the treatment of acute pain.

Intravenous (IV) administration of the NSAID ibuprofen was approved in2009 for pain management; however, an infusion time of 30 minutes isrequired and it must be administered every 6 hours. See CALDOLOR®Prescribing Information. Further, patients receiving IV administrationof NSAIDs report relatively high rates of injection site pain ordiscomfort (e.g., 16%-24% reported), which prohibits fasteradministration times. See Bergese, S. G., et al., Clinical Therapeutics,2015, 37, 368-375. Therefore, current approved IV NSAID formulationshave significant drawbacks

Thus, there is a need for a method of administering meloxicam which canprovide a faster onset of action, a longer therapeutic window, withoutthe need for multiple injections a day. Such methods would beadvantageous in providing rapid treatment for pain, including acute andmild to moderate or moderate to severe pain.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a method of treating pain in apatient in need thereof with meloxicam, comprising administering to thepatient a bolus dose of meloxicam intravenously, wherein the meloxicamis at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL is disclosed.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the meloxicam is ina form of meloxicam nanocrystals.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the bolus dose ofmeloxicam is administered to the patient over the course of about 1 toabout 60 seconds. In another embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 5 to about 45seconds. In other embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 15 to about 30seconds.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the dose ofmeloxicam is in the range of from about 15 mg to about 180 mg. In someembodiments, the dose of meloxicam is about 30 mg. In anotherembodiment, the dose of meloxicam is about 60 mg.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the dose ofmeloxicam is present in a volume of from about 0.5 mL to about 4 mL. Inanother embodiment, the dose of meloxicam is present in a volume ofabout 1 mL.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the pain treated ispost-surgical pain.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the dose ofmeloxicam is administered after the patient has undergone a surgicalprocedure. In one embodiment, the surgical procedure is an open surgicalprocedure. In another embodiment, the surgical procedure is alaparoscopic surgical procedure. In other embodiments, the surgicalprocedure was performed on hard tissue. In some embodiments, thesurgical procedure was performed on soft tissue.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the pain treated ismoderate to severe pain. In another embodiment, the pain treated is mildto moderate pain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the difference in the summed pain intensity difference overthe first 24 hours (SPID₂₄) in subjects with moderate to severe painfollowing abdominoplasty surgery.

FIG. 2 shows pain intensity difference over time in subjects withmoderate to severe pain following abdominoplasty surgery.

FIG. 3 shows number of rescue analgesia doses from hour 0-48 for subjectwith moderate to severe pain following abdominoplasty surgery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to methods of treating pain in a patientin need thereof with meloxicam. In one embodiment, the meloxicam isadministered to a patient in a bolus dose. In another embodiment, themeloxicam is administered to a patient intravenously in a bolus dose. Insome embodiments, the meloxicam is administered to a patientintravenously in a bolus dose at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL.

Definitions

It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the present application belongs. Although any methodsand materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can beused in the practice or testing of the present application,representative methods and materials are herein described.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and“the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, includingthe claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a carrier” includesmixtures of one or more carriers, two or more carriers, and the like.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specificationand claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances bythe term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the present specification and attachedclaims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desiredproperties sought to be obtained by the present application. Generallythe term “about”, as used herein in references to a measurable valuesuch as an amount of weight, time, dose, etc. is meant to encompassvalues within an acceptable degree of variability in the art. In someembodiments, degree of variability is based on FDA guidelines.

As used herein, “meloxicam” refers to4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide,which has the structure as depicted below. The molecular weight is351.4. Its molecular formula is C₁₄H₁₃N₃O₄S₂.

As used herein, the term “bolus dose” refers to a discrete amount of amedication or a drug, e.g., meloxicam, which is given within a specifictime. The specific time over which the bolus dose is administered (alsoreferred to herein as the infusion rate) may be any suitable time whichprovides rapid onset of action (i.e., pain relief) as measured by plasmaT_(max) of less than about 10 minutes and which does not causesignificant injection site pain, such as a significant burningsensation. In some embodiments, the infusion time may be about 1 minuteor less.

As used herein the term “AUC_(inf)” or “AUC_(1−∞).” refers to area underthe plasma concentration time curve from time zero to infinity or timezero to time of last quantifiable concentration.

Therapeutic Use

While oral administration of meloxicam is approved for treatinginflammation (e.g., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), currentlyavailable oral formulations of meloxicam are known to have a slow onsetof action due to poor solubility of meloxicam. The slow onset of actionof oral meloxicam has rendered meloxicam not appropriate for acute painmanagement (e.g., mild to moderate pain and/or moderate to severe pain).

The inventors discovered that an intravenous formulation of meloxicammay be administered in a bolus dose to provide a rapid onset of actionof meloxicam that is critical for treatment of acute pain. Meloxicamnanocrystals significantly improves the solubility of the meloxicam,allowing for higher concentrations of meloxicam to be administeredintravenously compared to an otherwise similar formulation in whichmeloxicam is not prepared as nanocrystals. Specifically, the inventorsfound that a bolus dose at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL wascritical in achieving a rapid onset of action of meloxicam while beingefficacious and safe for the treatment of acute pain (e.g., mild tomoderate pain and/or moderate to severe pain). In contrast to otherintravenous NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, meloxicamnanocrystals surprisingly can be safely administered in a bolus dosewithout causing injection site pain. In addition, the inventors foundthat a bolus dose given over of about 60 seconds (e.g., about 1 to about60 seconds, about 1 to 30 seconds, about 15 to about 30 seconds, etc.)was safe and effective for the treatment of pain for up to about 24hours. The inventors also found that about 1 mL total volume for a bolusdose given over about 60 seconds (e.g., about 1 to about 60 seconds,about 1 to 30 seconds, about 15 to about 30 seconds, etc.) was safe andeffective for the treatment of pain.

In some embodiments, the methods disclosed herein comprise administeringto the patient a bolus dose of meloxicam intravenously, wherein themeloxicam is at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL.

In one embodiment, the meloxicam is in a form of meloxicam nanocrystals.In another embodiment, meloxicam nanocrystals are formed using AlkermesNanoCrystal™ technology. See U.S. Pat. No. 8,512,727 which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the bolus dose ofmeloxicam is administered to the patient over the course of about 1 toabout 60 seconds, including all values and subranges therebetween. Thatis, the bolus dose of meloxicam may be administered to patient in about1 second, about 2 seconds, about 3 seconds, about 4 seconds, about 5second, about 6 seconds, about 7 seconds, about 8 seconds, about 9second, about 10 seconds, about 11 second, about 12 seconds, about 13seconds, about 14 seconds, about 15 second, about 16 seconds, about 17seconds, about 18 seconds, about 19 second, about 20 seconds, about 21second, about 22 seconds, about 23 seconds, about 24 seconds, about 25second, about 26 seconds, about 27 seconds, about 28 seconds, about 29second, about 30 seconds, about 31 second, about 32 seconds, about 33seconds, about 34 seconds, about 35 second, about 36 seconds, about 37seconds, about 38 seconds, about 39 second, about 40 seconds, about 41second, about 42 seconds, about 43 seconds, about 44 seconds, about 45second, about 46 seconds, about 47 seconds, about 48 seconds, about 49second, about 50 seconds, about 51 second, about 52 seconds, about 53seconds, about 54 seconds, about 55 second, about 56 seconds, about 57seconds, about 58 seconds, about 59 second, or about 60 seconds, or anyranges between these values.

For example, in some embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 5 to about 45seconds. In other embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 10 to about 40seconds. In still other embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 15 to about 35seconds. In some embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 10 to about 30seconds. In certain embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam isadministered to the patient over the course of about 15 to about 30seconds. In one embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam is administeredto the patient over about 15 seconds.

Notably, the infusion rates of the present disclosure are significantlyquicker than the FDA-approved infusion time of CALDOLOR® (an intravenousformulation of the NSAID ibuprofen), which requires at least 30 minutes.See CALDOLOR® Prescribing Information. Similarly, the infusion rates ofthe present disclosure are also significantly faster than infusion ratesfor OFIRMEV® (an intravenous formulation of acetaminophen), whichrequires a 15 minute infusion rate. See OFIRMEV® PrescribingInformation. Whereas intravenous formulations of ibuprofen andacetaminophen cause injection site pain when administered at a rate thatis faster than 15 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively, the presentformulations were surprisingly discovered not to cause such injectionsite pain when administered in a bolus dose.

Further, the inventors discovered that injection of meloxicam in thebolus dose within seconds, according to the methods disclosed herein,achieves fast onset of analgesics which is critical for management ofacute pain, such as post-surgical pain. For example, in one embodiment,the bolus dose of meloxicam administered intravenously to a patient canprovide pain relief within about 10 minutes. This rapid onset of painrelief provided by the methods of the present disclosure represents asubstantial improvement from available intravenous NSAIDs, such asketorolac which can take up to 30 minutes for the onset of pain relief.See Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection Prescribing Information.

Moreover, unlike the previously reported NSAID injections which resultedin high injection site pain adverse effects (e.g., 16%-24% reported),the inventors found that the bolus injection methods for administrationof meloxicam disclosed herein is safe and efficacious, as only 2% ofpatients receiving a bolus dose of intravenous meloxicam reportedinjection site pain.

In one embodiment of the methods disclosed herein, the bolus dose ofmeloxicam is in the range of from about 15 mg to about 180 mg, inclusiveof all values and subranges therebetween. That is, the bolus dose ofmeloxicam may be about 15 mg, about 20 mg, about 25 mg, about 30 mg,about 35 mg, about 40 mg, about 45 mg, about 50 mg, about 55 mg, about60 mg, about 65 mg, about 70 mg, about 75 mg, about 80 mg, about 85 mg,about 90 mg, about 95 mg, about 100 mg, about 105 mg, about 110 mg,about 115 mg, about 120 mg, about 125 mg, about 130 mg, about 135 mg,about 140 mg, about 145 mg, about 150 mg, about 155 mg, about 160 mg,about 165 mg, about 170 mg, about 175 mg, or about 180 mg, or any rangesbetween these values.

In some embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam is in the range of fromabout 15 mg to about 100 mg. In other embodiments, the bolus dose ofmeloxicam is in the range of from about 15 mg to about 80 mg. In someembodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicam is in the range of from about20 mg to about 70 mg. In some embodiments, the bolus dose of meloxicamis in the range of from about 30 mg to about 60 mg. In some embodiments,the bolus dose of meloxicam is about 30 mg. In another embodiment, thebolus dose of meloxicam is about 60 mg.

In some embodiments, the intravenous meloxicam is formulated at aconcentration of from about 10 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL, e.g., about 10mg/mL, about 15 mg/mL, about 20 mg/mL, about 25 mg/mL, about 30 mg/mL,about 35 mg/mL, about 40 mg/mL, about 45 mg/mL, about 50 mg/mL, about 55mg/mL, and about 60 mg/mL, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In particular embodiments, the intravenous meloxicam isformulated at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL.

In one embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam as disclosed herein isadministered once a day, twice a day, three times a day, every otherday, or at a frequency deemed appropriate by a physician. In oneembodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam is administered once a dayintravenously. In some embodiments, meloxicam is administered aboutevery 16-26 hours (e.g., about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, or 26 hours,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween) until the patient isno longer in need thereof. As used herein, a “patient is no longer inneed thereof” when the pain has subsided or the patient is dischargedfrom the hospital. In some embodiments, meloxicam is administeredintravenously about once every 6 hours, about once every 8 hours, aboutonce every 12 hours, about once every 18 hours, about once every 24hours, about once every 36 hours, about once about every 48 hours or ata frequency deemed appropriate by a physician. In particularembodiments, meloxicam is administered about once every 18-24 hours.

In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering meloxicam to asubject at about 18 hours, at about 24 hours, at about 36 hours, atabout 48 hours, at about 54 hours, at about 72 hours, at about 96 hours,at about 5 days, at about 6 days, and so forth subsequent to the firstdose of meloxicam administered to the subject.

In one embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam as disclosed herein canbe administered to a subject about every 16 hours to about every 26hours (e.g., about every 18-24 hours) for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days,5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13days, 14 days, or at a duration and frequency deemed appropriate by aphysician.

In one embodiment, a single bolus dose as disclosed herein can provide arapid treatment which lasts for about 12 hours to about 48 hours. In oneembodiment, a single bolus dose as disclosed herein can provide a rapidtreatment which lasts for about 24 hours. The ability for the presentlydisclosed meloxicam formulation to provide treatment lasting about 24hours represents a significant improvement over previously approvedNSAID IV treatments, such as CALDOLOR® which requires infusion every 6hours. See CALDOLOR® Prescribing Information.

In any of the methods disclosed herein, meloxicam can be administeredfor treatment of pain or for pain management. In one embodiment,meloxicam can be administered for the treatment or management of acutepain. In one embodiment, meloxicam can be administered for the treatmentor management of moderate to severe pain. In one embodiment, meloxicamcan be administered for the treatment or management of mild to moderatepain. In one embodiment, meloxicam can be administered for the treatmentor management of acute moderate to severe pain. In one embodiment,meloxicam can be administered for the treatment or management of acutemild to moderate pain. In one embodiment, the pain management is for ahuman patient. In one embodiment, the human patient is an adult (e.g,aged 17 or older).

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the pain treated ispost-surgical pain. Post-surgical pain may include two clinicallyimportant aspects, namely resting pain, or pain that occurs when thepatient is not moving, and mechanical pain which is exacerbated bymovement (coughing/sneezing, getting out of bed, physiotherapy, etc.).In some embodiments, resting pain is treated, in some embodiments,mechanically-induced pain (including pain resulting from movement) istreated, and in some embodiments, thermally-induced pain is treated. Insome embodiments, allodynia (i.e., increased response (i.e., increasednoxious sensation) to a normally non-noxious stimulus) is treated. Insome embodiments, hyperalgesia (i.e., increased response to a normallynoxious or unpleasant stimulus) is treated. In some embodiments,allodynia and/or hyperalgesia is thermal or mechanical (tactile) innature, or resting pain. In some embodiments, the pain is associatedwith site of incision, wound or trauma, and/or proximal, at or near thesite of incision, wound, and/or trauma. In some embodiments, the pain isnociceptive pain, including superficial somatic pain, deep somatic painand visceral pain; in some embodiments, the pain is neuropathic painsuch as central neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathic pain.

In some embodiments, the surgical procedure is performed on hard and/orsoft tissue. In some embodiments, the surgical procedure is performed onsoft tissue. In some embodiments, the soft tissue surgery may include,but is not limited to, reproductive surgery, abdominal surgery, thoracicsurgery, upper airway surgery, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery,surgical oncology and wound care and reconstruction. In someembodiments, soft tissues include, but are not limited to, tendons,ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, and synovial membranes(which are connective tissue), and muscles, nerves and blood vessels(which are not connective tissue). In other embodiments, the surgicalprocedure is performed on hard tissue. Hard or calcified tissues includetissues which are mineralized and have a firm intercellular matric. Nonlimiting examples of hard tissues are bone, tooth enamel, dentin, andcementum.

In some aspects, the surgery is open surgery, which refers to aprocedure involving cutting of skin and tissues so that a surgeon has afull view of the structures or organs involved. Non-limiting examples ofopen surgery include removal of organs, such as gall bladder or kidneys,organ transplant, removal of a brain tumor, removal of a damaged kidneyor open-heart surgery.

In some aspects, the surgery is a minimally invasive surgery, whichrefers to a procedure that typically does not involve generating a largeincision. Non-limiting examples of minimally invasive surgery includelaparoscopy, endoscopy, arthroscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy,gastroscopy, hysteroscopy, laryngoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. In someembodiments, the surgical procedure is a laparoscopic surgicalprocedure. Typically, laparoscopy is a surgical procedure involvinggenerating small incisions (cuts) in the wall of the abdomen andinserting a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube) into one of theincisions. In some embodiments, during laparoscopy, other instrumentsmay be inserted through the same or other incisions to performprocedures such as removing organs or taking tissue samples to bechecked under a microscope for signs of disease. Non-limiting examplesof laparoscopic procedures are gynecological surgery, lymphadenectomy,kidney surgery, radical prostatectomy, livery surgery, gallbladderremoval (cholecystectomy), appendectomy, hernia repair, removal of partof the colon (colectomy) or small intestine, surgery for acid-refluxdisease (fundoplication), removal of adrenal glands, and removal of thespleen. In some aspects, the surgery may be microsurgery, whichtypically is used for delicate work on very small body structuresrelying on special equipment and microscopes to magnify the area to beoperated on and using tiny surgical instruments. Non-limiting examplesof microsurgeries are vasectomy reversal or re-attaching a severedfinger. In some embodiments, the surgery is robotic-assisted surgery, inwhich a surgeon maneuvers robotic arms during the procedure allowing formore precise movements. Non-limiting examples of robotic surgery includesurgeries on the head and neck, gynecologic and urologic surgeries likehysterectomies and prostate cancer treatments.

In some embodiments, the surgery is colorectal surgery, while in otherembodiments, the surgery is orthopedic surgery. In some embodiments, thesurgery is joint replacement surgery. In some embodiments, the surgeryis unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the dose ofmeloxicam is administered after the patient has undergone a surgicalprocedure. In one embodiment, the surgical procedure is an open surgicalprocedure. In another embodiment, the surgical procedure is alaparoscopic surgical procedure. In other embodiments, the surgicalprocedure was performed on hard tissue. In some embodiments, thesurgical procedure was performed on soft tissue.

Formulations

In one embodiment, the bolus dose disclosed herein can comprise one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers known to oneskilled in the art.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient for the bolusdose for IV injection can include acacia, alginic acid bentonite,carbomer, carboxymethylcellulose calcium or sodium, cetostearyl alcohol,methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, gelatin guar gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose,maltodextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, propylene carbonate,propylene glycol alginate, sodium alginate, sodium starch glycolate,sodium deoxycholate (deoxycholic acid), starch tragacanth, sucrose andxanthan gum.

In one embodiment, the bolus dose disclosed herein for injection can beformulated in liquid carriers such as, but not limited to, water,dextrose in water, glucose in water, vegetable oil, alcohol,polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or glycerin. In one embodiment,the bolus dose disclosed herein for injection is formulated in sterilewater.

In one embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam is in a form of aqueousdispersion.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the bolus dose ofmeloxicam is present in a volume of from about 0.5 mL to about 4 mL,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. That is, the bolusdose of meloxicam is present in a volume of about 0.5 mL, about 0.6 mL,about 0.7 mL, about 0.8 mL, about 0.9 mL, about 1.0 mL, about 1.1 mL,about 1.2 mL, about 1.3 mL, about 1.4 mL, about 1.5 mL, about 1.6 mL,about 1.7 mL, about 1.8 mL, about 1.9 mL, about 2.0 mL, about 2.1 mL,about 2.2 mL, about 2.3 mL, about 2.4 mL, about 2.5 mL, about 2.6 mL,about 2.7 mL, about 2.8 mL, about 2.9 mL, about 3.0 mL, about 3.1 mL,about 3.2 mL, about 3.3 mL, about 3.4 mL, about 3.5 mL, about 3.6 mL,about 3.7 mL, about 3.8 mL, about 3.9 mL, or about 4.0 mL, or any rangesbetween these values. In another embodiment, the dose of meloxicam ispresent in a volume of about 1 mL.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the dose ofmeloxicam is present at a concentration of about 15 mg/mL to about 30mg/mL.

In one embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, the dose ofmeloxicam is present at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL. That is, thebolus dose of meloxicam can be present at a concentration between 28.5mg/mL and 31.5 mg/mL or any subranges between the two values. In someembodiments, the dose of meloxicam can be present at a concentration ofabout 10 mg/mL to about 40 mg/mL, such as, for example, about 15 mg/mL,about 16 mg/mL, about 17 mg/mL, about 18 mg/mL, about 19 mg/mL, about 20mg/mL, about 21 mg/mL, about 22 mg/mL, about 23 mg/mL, about 24 mg/mL,about 25 mg/mL, about 26 mg/mL, about 27 mg/mL, about 28 mg/mL, about 29mg/mL, about 30 mg/mL, about 31 mg/mL, about 32 mg/mL, about 33 mg/mL,about 34 mg/mL, about 35 mg/mL, about 36 mg/mL, about 37 mg/mL, about 38mg/mL, about 39 mg/mL, and about 40 mg/mL inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam is present at aconcentration of about 30 mg/mL as a single use vial.

As previously noted, meloxicam has poor water solubility, which is oneof the main reasons oral administration is not suitable for treatment ofacute pain. Further, due to meloxicam's poor water solubility, it ischallenging to provide an injectable formulation that is sufficientlyconcentrated so that the formulation can be injected to patients inseconds in order to achieve rapid onset of pain relief without causinginjection site pain. However, the inventors were able to increase themeloxicam concentration to 30 mg/mL. This is a 20% increase in theconcentration of meloxicam as compared to an otherwise similarformulation in which meloxicam is not prepared as nanocrystals, which issubstantial considering meloxicam is poorly water soluble. Theconcentration of meloxicam as disclosed herein is critical to providinga bolus dose and achieving rapid onset of pain relief without causinginjection site pain. At concentrations of meloxicam which are higherthan those disclosed herein, the drugs can crystalize out of solution,which will interfere with the injectability and/or syringeability of theformulation. At concentrations of meloxicam which are lower than thosedisclosed herein, the larger volumes of carrier preclude administrationwithin the time ranges specified herein, and thus cannot achieve rapidonset of pain relief.

In one embodiment, the bolus dose of meloxicam as disclosed herein isused without dilution. In one embodiment, the 30 mg/mL bolus dose ofmeloxicam is used without dilution. In one embodiment, the 30 mg/mLbolus dose of meloxicam is not added to an IV solution or an IV fluidbag. That is, the 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam as disclosed hereinis administered to a patient in need thereof as 30 mg/mL.

Pharmacokinetics

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an averagemaximum blood plasma concentration (C_(max)) within about 80% to about125% of the range of from about 4000 ng/mL to about 11000 ng/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. That is, a single 30mg/mL bolus dose can provide plasma C_(max) of about 3000 ng/mL, about3100 ng/mL, about 3200 ng/mL, about 3300 ng/mL, about 3400 ng/mL, about3500 ng/mL, about 3600 ng/mL, about 3700 ng/mL, about 3800 ng/mL, about3900 ng/mL, about 4000 ng/mL, about 4100 ng/mL, about 4200 ng/mL, about4300 ng/mL, about 4400 ng/mL, about 4500 ng/mL, about 4600 ng/mL, about4700 ng/mL, about 4800 ng/mL, about 4900 ng/mL, about 5000 ng/mL, about5100 ng/mL, about 5200 ng/mL, about 5300 ng/mL, about 5400 ng/mL, about5500 ng/mL, about 5600 ng/mL, about 5700 ng/mL, about 5800 ng/mL, about5900 ng/mL, about 6000 ng/mL, about 6100 ng/mL, about 6200 ng/mL, about6300 ng/mL, about 6400 ng/mL, about 6500 ng/mL, about 6600 ng/mL, about6700 ng/mL, about 6800 ng/mL, about 6900 ng/mL, about 7000 ng/mL, about7100 ng/mL, about 7200 ng/mL, about 7300 ng/mL, about 7400 ng/mL, about7500 ng/mL, about 7600 ng/mL, about 7700 ng/mL, about 7800 ng/mL, about7900 ng/mL, about 8000 ng/mL, about 8100 ng/mL, about 8200 ng/mL, about8300 ng/mL, about 8400 ng/mL, about 8500 ng/mL, about 8600 ng/mL, about8700 ng/mL, about 8800 ng/mL, about 8900 ng/mL, about 9000 ng/mL, about9100 ng/mL, about 9200 ng/mL, about 9300 ng/mL, about 9400 ng/mL, about9500 ng/mL, about 9600 ng/mL, about 9700 ng/mL, about 9800 ng/mL, about9900 ng/mL, about 10000 ng/mL, about 10100 ng/mL, about 10200 ng/mL,about 10300 ng/mL, about 10400 ng/mL, about 10500 ng/mL, about 10600ng/mL, about 10700 ng/mL, about 10800 ng/mL, about 10900 ng/mL, about11000 ng/mL, about 11100 ng/mL, about 11200 ng/mL, about 11300 ng/mL,about 11400 ng/mL, about 11500 ng/mL, about 11600 ng/mL, about 11700ng/mL, about 11800 ng/mL, about 11900 ng/mL, about 12000 ng/mL, about12100 ng/mL, about 12200 ng/mL, about 12300 ng/mL, about 12400 ng/mL,about 12500 ng/mL, about 12600 ng/mL, about 12700 ng/mL, about 12800ng/mL, about 12900 ng/mL, about 13000 ng/mL, about 13100 ng/mL, about13200 ng/mL, about 13300 ng/mL, about 13400 ng/mL, and about 13500ng/mL, or any values or ranges between above values, in a patient.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an averageplasma C_(max) within the range of from about 80% to about 125% of5642.9±1009.0 ng/mL in a patient after intravenous administration ofintravenous meloxicam, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose providesan average plasma C_(max) within the range of from about 3707.1 ng/mL toabout 8314.9 ng/mL in a patient after intravenous administration ofintravenous meloxicam, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose providesan average plasma C_(max) within about 80% to about 125% of the range offrom about 4000 ng/mL to about 7000 ng/mL in a patient after intravenousadministration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a single 30 mg/mL bolus doseprovides an average plasma C_(max) within about 80% to about 125% therange of from about 4600 ng/mL to about 6700 ng/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of intravenous meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a single 30 mg/mLbolus dose provides an average plasma C_(max) within about 80% to about125% of the range of from about 5000 ng/mL to about 6000 ng/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma C_(max)within the range of from about 80% to about 125% of 7972.5±2579.0 ng/mLin a patient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma C_(max) within the range offrom about 4,312.1 ng/mL to about 13,190.5 ng/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mLbolus dose provides an average plasma C_(max) within the range of fromabout 80% to about 125% of about 5000 ng/mL to about 11000 ng/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasma C_(max) withinabout 80% to about 125% of the range of from about 5500 ng/mL to about10500 ng/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of 30 mg ofmeloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In oneembodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasmaC_(max) within the range of from about 80% to about 125% of about 7000ng/mL to about 9000 ng/mL in a patient in a patient after intravenousadministration of intravenous meloxicam, inclusive of all value sandsubranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, a repeat dose (e.g., administered once daily) of a 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma C_(max) within the range offrom about 80% to about 125% of about 10632.5±4729.8 ng/mL in a patientafter intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a repeat dose of a30 mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma C_(max) within the range of fromabout 4,722.2 ng/mL to about 19,202.9 ng/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. That is, a repeat dose of 1 mL of a30 mg/mL bolus dose can provide plasma C_(max) of about 4500 ng/mL,about 4600 ng/mL, about 4700 ng/mL, about 4800 ng/mL, about 4900 ng/mL,about 5000 ng/mL, about 5100 ng/mL, about 5200 ng/mL, about 5300 ng/mL,about 5400 ng/mL, about 5500 ng/mL, about 5600 ng/mL, about 5700 ng/mL,about 5800 ng/mL, about 5900 ng/mL, about 6000 ng/mL, about 6100 ng/mL,about 6200 ng/mL, about 6300 ng/mL, about 6400 ng/mL, about 6500 ng/mL,about 6600 ng/mL, about 6700 ng/mL, about 6800 ng/mL, about 6900 ng/mL,about 7000 ng/mL, about 7100 ng/mL, about 7200 ng/mL, about 7300 ng/mL,about 7400 ng/mL, about 7500 ng/mL, about 7600 ng/mL, about 7700 ng/mL,about 7800 ng/mL, about 7900 ng/mL, about 8000 ng/mL, about 8100 ng/mL,about 8200 ng/mL, about 8300 ng/mL, about 8400 ng/mL, about 8500 ng/mL,about 8600 ng/mL, about 8700 ng/mL, about 8800 ng/mL, about 8900 ng/mL,about 9000 ng/mL, about 9100 ng/mL, about 9200 ng/mL, about 9300 ng/mL,about 9400 ng/mL, about 9500 ng/mL, about 9600 ng/mL, about 9700 ng/mL,about 9800 ng/mL, about 9900 ng/mL, about 10000 ng/mL, about 10100ng/mL, about 10200 ng/mL, about 10300 ng/mL, about 10400 ng/mL, about10500 ng/mL, about 10600 ng/mL, about 10700 ng/mL, about 10800 ng/mL,about 10900 ng/mL, about 11000 ng/mL, about 11100 ng/mL, about 11200ng/mL, about 11300 ng/mL, about 11400 ng/mL, about 11500 ng/mL, about11600 ng/mL, about 11700 ng/mL, about 11800 ng/mL, about 11900 ng/mL,about 12000 ng/mL, about 12100 ng/mL, about 12200 ng/mL, about 12300ng/mL, about 12400 ng/mL, about 12500 ng/mL, about 12600 ng/mL, about12700 ng/mL, about 12800 ng/mL, about 12900 ng/mL, about 13000 ng/mL,about 13100 ng/mL, about 13200 ng/mL, about 13300 ng/mL, about 13400ng/mL, about 13500 ng/mL, about 13600 ng/mL, about 13700 ng/mL, about13800 ng/mL, about 13900 ng/mL, about 14000 ng/mL, about 14100 ng/mL,about 14200 ng/mL, about 14300 ng/mL, about 14400 ng/mL, about 14500ng/mL, about 14600 ng/mL, about 14700 ng/mL, about 14800 ng/mL, about14900 ng/mL, about 15000 ng/mL, about 15100 ng/mL, about 15200 ng/mL,about 15300 ng/mL, about 15400 ng/mL, about 15500 ng/mL, about 15600ng/mL, about 15700 ng/mL, about 15800 ng/mL, about 15900 ng/mL, about16000 ng/mL, about 16100 ng/mL, about 16200 ng/mL, about 16300 ng/mL,about 16400 ng/mL, about 16500 ng/mL, about 16600 ng/mL, about 16700ng/mL, about 16800 ng/mL, about 16900 ng/mL, about 17000 ng/mL, about17100 ng/mL, about 17200 ng/mL, about 17300 ng/mL, about 17400 ng/mL,about 17500 ng/mL, about 17600 ng/mL, about 17700 ng/mL, about 17800ng/mL, about 17900 ng/mL, about 18000 ng/mL, about 18100 ng/mL, about18200 ng/mL, about 18300 ng/mL, about 18400 ng/mL, about 18500 ng/mL,about 18600 ng/mL, about 18700 ng/mL, about 18800 ng/mL, about 18900ng/mL, about 19000 ng/mL, about 19100 ng/mL, about 19200 ng/mL, about19300 ng/mL, about 19400 ng/mL, about 19500 ng/mL, about 19600 ng/mL,about 19700 ng/mL, about 19800 ng/mL, about 19900 ng/mL, or about 12000ng/mL, or any values or ranges between above values, in a patient.

In one embodiment, a repeat dose (e.g., once daily) of 1 mL of a 30mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma C_(max) within about 80% to about 125%of the range of from about 5000 ng/mL to about 20000 ng/mL in a patientafter intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a repeat dose of 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasma C_(max) withinabout 80% to about 125% of the range of from of about 7000 ng/mL toabout 18000 ng/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of 30 mgof meloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In oneembodiment, a repeat dose of 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides anaverage plasma C_(max) within the range of from about 80% to about 125%of about 8000 ng/mL to about 13000 ng/mL in a patient after intravenousadministration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an averageplasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% of the range of fromabout 55,000 ng*hr/mL to about 190,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. That is, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolusdose can provide an average plasma AUC_(inf) of about 40,000 ng*hr/mL,about 45,000 ng*hr/mL, about 50,000 ng*hr/mL, about 55,000 ng*hr/mL,about 60,000 ng*hr/mL, about 65,000 ng*hr/mL, about 70,000 ng*hr/mL,about 75,000 ng*hr/mL, about 80,000 ng*hr/mL, about 85,000 ng*hr/mL,about 90,000 ng*hr/mL, about 95,000 ng*hr/mL, about 100,000 ng*hr/mL,about 105,000 ng*hr/mL, about 110,000 ng*hr/mL, about 115,000 ng*hr/mL,about 120,000 ng*hr/mL, about 125,000 ng*hr/mL, about 130,000 ng*hr/mL,about 135,000 ng*hr/mL, about 140,000 ng*hr/mL, about 145,000 ng*hr/mL,about 150,000 ng*hr/mL, about 155,000 ng*hr/mL, about 160,000 ng*hr/mL,about 165,000 ng*hr/mL, about 170,000 ng*hr/mL, about 175,000 ng*hr/mL,about 180,000 ng*hr/mL, about 185,000 ng*hr/mL, about 190,000 ng*hr/mL,about 195,000 ng*hr/mL, about 200,000 ng*hr/mL, about 205,000 ng*hr/mL,about 210,000 ng*hr/mL, about 215,000 ng*hr/mL, about 220,000 ng*hr/mL,about 225,000 ng*hr/mL, about 230,000 ng*hr/mL about 235,000 ng*hr/mL,and about 240,000 ng*hr/mL, or any values or ranges between abovevalues, in a patient.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an averageplasma AUC_(inf) within the range of from about 80% to about 125% ofabout 107508.7±34443.0 ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenousadministration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus doseprovides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within the range of from about58,452.6 ng*hr/mL to about 177,440.0 ng*hr/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mLbolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within the range of fromabout 80% to about 125% of about 121437.6±64505.6 ng*hr/mL in a patientafter intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mLbolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within the range of fromabout 45,545.6 ng*hr/mL to about 232,429.0 ng*hr/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a 1 mL of a 30mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) of about 70,000ng*hr/mL to about 190,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenousadministration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus doseprovides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within the range of from about 80%to about 125% of about 70,000 ng*hr/mL to about 140,000 ng*hr/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) withinabout 80% to about 125% of the range of from about 75,000 ng*hr/mL toabout 130,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an averageplasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% of the range of fromabout 85,000 ng*hr/mL to about 120,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mLbolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% toabout 125% of the range of from about 55,000 ng*hr/mL to about 190,000ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of 30 mg ofmeloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In oneembodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasmaAUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% of the range of from about80,000 ng*hr/mL to about 160,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenousadministration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus doseprovides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% ofthe range of from about 100,000 ng*hr/mL to about 140,000 ng*hr/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, a repeat dose (e.g., once daily) of 1 mL of a 30mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma AUC_(inf) within the range of fromabout 80% to about 125% of about 297,771.6±241,604.01 ng*hr/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, arepeat dose of 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides plasma AUC_(inf)within the range of from about 44,934.1 ng*hr/mL to about 674,219.5ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of 30 mg ofmeloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In oneembodiment, a repeat dose of 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides anaverage plasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% of the range offrom about 55,000 ng*hr/mL to about 540,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a repeat dose of 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) withinabout 80% to about 125% of the range of from about 80,000 ng*hr/mL toabout 500,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.In one embodiment, a repeat dose of 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus doseprovides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% ofthe range of from about 100,000 ng*hr/mL to about 450,000 ng*hr/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, arepeat dose of 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasmaAUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% of the range of from about150,000 ng*hr/mL to about 400,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, a repeat dose of 1mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an average plasma AUC_(inf) withinabout 80% to about 125% of the range of from about 200,000 ng*hr/mL toabout 350,000 ng*hr/mL in a patient after intravenous administration of30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.In one embodiment, a repeat dose of 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus doseprovides an average plasma AUC_(inf) within about 80% to about 125% ofthe range of from about 250,000 ng*hr/mL to about 325,000 ng*hr/mL in apatient after intravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, steady state can be achieved upon repeat dose of a 30mg bolus dose administered intravenously once daily for 7 days.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus IV dose provides an averageplasma T_(max) of about 0.05 h to about 0.20 h in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. That is, a single 30 mg/mL bolus IVinjection can provide an average plasma T_(max) of about 0.05 h, about0.06 h, about 0.07 h, about 0.08 h, about 0.09 h, about 0.10 h, about0.11 h, about 0.12 h, about 0.13 h, about 0.14 h, about 0.15 h, about0.16 h, about 0.17 h, about 0.18 h, about 0.19 h, or about 0.20 h, orany values or ranges between above values, in a patient.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose provides an averageplasma T_(max) of about 0.08 h to about 0.16 h in a patient afterintravenous administration of 30 mg of meloxicam, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mLbolus dose provides an average plasma T_(max) of about 0.10 h to about0.14 h in a patient after intravenous administration of 30 mg ofmeloxicam, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

An orally administered meloxicam has a prolonged absorption, with a meanplasma T_(max) of about 5-7 hours following administration. The methodsas disclosed herein provides significantly faster T_(max), e.g., about0.08 h to about 0.16 h following administration, which is indicative ofrapid onset and fast absorption.

In one embodiment, the method as disclosed herein can provide meloxicampeak analgesic effect within about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes. Thatis, the administration of 30 mg/mL bolus IV injection of meloxicam canprovide peak analgesic effect in about 30 minutes, about 35 minutes,about 40 minutes, about 45 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 55 minutes,or about 60 minutes, or any values or ranges between above values. Inone embodiment, the administration of 30 mg/mL bolus IV injection ofmeloxicam can provide peak analgesic effect in about 40 minutes.

Not only is the meloxicam administration as disclosed herein provide afast onset of pain relief, it also reaches peak analgesic effect soonerthan other known IV NSAIDs (Ketorolac can take 1 to 2 hours for maximumeffect) and has a longer therapeutic window of at least about 24 hours(Ketorolac's duration of analgesic effect is 4 to 6 hours). SeeKetorolac Tromethamine Injection Prescribing Information.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam providesan average plasma concentration in the range of from about 80% to about125% of 4160±1020 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about 30 minutesafter intravenous administration, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose ofmeloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the range of fromabout 2512 ng/mL to about 6475 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about30 minutes after intravenous administration, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In some embodiments, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolusdose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the rangeof from about 3000 ng/mL to about 6000 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patientat about 30 minutes after intravenous administration, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In other embodiments, 1 mL of a 30mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentrationin the range of from about 3500 ng/mL to about 5500 ng/mL of meloxicamin a patient at about 30 minutes after intravenous administration,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In some embodiments,a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasmaconcentration in the range of from about 3500 ng/mL to about 5000 ng/mLof meloxicam in a patient at about 30 minutes after intravenousadministration, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam providesan average plasma concentration in the range of from about 80% to about125% of 3590±708 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about 60 minutesafter intravenous administration, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In one embodiment, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolus dose ofmeloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the range of fromabout 2305 ng/mL to about 5373 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about60 minutes after intravenous administration, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In some embodiments, 1 mL of a 30 mg/mL bolusdose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the rangeof from about 2500 ng/mL to about 5000 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patientat about 60 minutes after intravenous administration, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In other embodiments, 1 mL of a 30mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentrationin the range of from about 2750 ng/mL to about 4500 ng/mL of meloxicamin a patient at about 60 minutes after intravenous administration,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In some embodiments,a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasmaconcentration in the range of from about 3000 ng/mL to about 4000 ng/mLof meloxicam in a patient at about 60 minutes after intravenousadministration, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides anaverage plasma concentration in the range of from about 80% to about125% of 2660±394 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about 120 minutesafter intravenous administration, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In one embodiment, a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose ofmeloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the range of fromabout 1812 ng/mL to about 3818 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about120 minutes after intravenous administration, inclusive of all valuesand subranges therebetween. In some embodiments, a single 30 mg/mL bolusdose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the rangeof from about 1900 ng/mL to about 3800 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patientat about 120 minutes after intravenous administration, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In other embodiments, a single 30mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentrationin the range of from about 2100 ng/mL to about 3600 ng/mL of meloxicamin a patient at about 120 minutes after intravenous administration,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In some embodiments,a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasmaconcentration in the range of from about 2200 ng/mL to about 3400 ng/mLof meloxicam in a patient at about 120 minutes after intravenousadministration, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

In one embodiment, a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides anaverage plasma concentration in the range of from about 80% to about125% of 2190±262 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about 4 hours afterintravenous administration, inclusive of all values and subrangestherebetween. In one embodiment, a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose ofmeloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the range of fromabout 1542 ng/mL to about 3065 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patient at about4 hours after intravenous administration, inclusive of all values andsubranges therebetween. In some embodiments, a single 30 mg/mL bolusdose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentration in the rangeof from about 1600 ng/mL to about 3000 ng/mL of meloxicam in a patientat about 4 hours after intravenous administration, inclusive of allvalues and subranges therebetween. In other embodiments, a single 30mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasma concentrationin the range of from about 1800 ng/mL to about 2800 ng/mL of meloxicamin a patient at about 4 hours after intravenous administration,inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween. In some embodiments,a single 30 mg/mL bolus dose of meloxicam provides an average plasmaconcentration in the range of from about 1900 ng/mL to about 2600 ng/mLof meloxicam in a patient at about 4 hours after intravenousadministration, inclusive of all values and subranges therebetween.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Meloxicam 30 mg IV Injection Formulation

IV injection formulation is prepared as a ready-to-use formulationcontaining 30 mg NanoCrystal Colloidal Dispersion® meloxicam, povidone,sodium deoxycholate (deoxycholic acid), sucrose, and water for injectionwith a total volume of 1 mL in a ready-to-use vial.

Example 2: Treatment of Acute Moderate to Severe Pain with 30 mg/mLMeloxicam Bolus IV Injection Following Abdominoplasty

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialevaluated the efficacy and safety of meloxicam in 219 subjects withmoderate to severe pain following abdominoplasty. Subjects were enrolledand randomized to treatment (1:1 ratio) with meloxicam 30 mg(administered as 1 mL of 30 mg/mL) or placebo administered via IV pushevery 24 hours for up to three doses. Participation consisted of ascreening visit, surgery and inpatient evaluation, and 2 follow-upvisits, 7 and 28 days after last study dose.

Following abdominoplasty, subjects could be maintained using IV fentanyluntil eligible to randomize to treatment. Study doses were administeredas an IV infusion over approximately 15 seconds every 24 hours for aminimum of two doses, with an optional third dose prior to discharge.

Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, with a mean painintensity (numeric pain rating scale, 0-10) of 7.2 in the meloxicamgroup and 7.4 in the placebo group. In the primary efficacy assessment,meloxicam group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction inthe summed pain intensity difference (SPID) through 24 hours followingDose 1 (SPID₂₄; p=0.0145) compared to the placebo group (FIG. 1 ).Sensitivity analyses of the SPID₂₄ each showed that the IV meloxicam 30mg treated subjects had numerically greater total pain reduction (i.e.,a smaller SPID value) compared with placebo treated subjects.

Statistically significant reductions in SPID were also observed through12 hours (SPID₁₂; p=0.0434) and 48 hours post Dose 1 (SPID₄₈; p=0.0040)compared with placebo (Table 1). SPID assessed at other postdoseintervals (SPID₆, SPID₁₂, SPID₄₈, and SPID₂₄₋₄₈) favored IV meloxicam atall intervals, and reached statistical significance at all but the SPID₆interval (p<0.05). End of dose intervals (SPID₁₂₋₂₄, SPID₁₈₋₂₄,SPID₃₆₋₄₈, and SPID₄₂₋₄₈) numerically favored IV meloxicam 30 mg overplacebo at each interval, and achieved statistical significance at allbut the SPIDB-24interval, suggesting that IV meloxicam 30 mg maintainsmeaningful analgesia throughout the 24 hours dosing interval.

TABLE 1 SPID (Leas-Squares Mean ± Standard Error) IV Meloxicam 30 mgPlacebo Parameter (N = 110) (N = 109) p-value SPID₆  −607.0 (52.45) −510.9 (52.66) 0.1841 SPID₁₂  −1763.8 (104.77) −1471.1 (105.18) 0.0434SPID₄₈ −10600.0 (442.31) −8829.2 (444.08) 0.0040 SPID₁₂₋₂₄  −2498.3(123.63) −2064.7 (124.12) 0.0115 SPID₃₆₋₄₈  −3276.2 (128.54) −2827.6(129.05) 0.0119

Pain intensity difference (PID) was calculated as the difference in painintensity at each postdose time point compared with base line (FIG. 2 ).PID was lower in the IV meloxicam 30 mg group compared with placebo atall time points after 30 minutes postdose. PID values were equal priorto 30 minutes post dose.

The study achieved numerous other secondary endpoints, includingstatistically significant differences in time to perceptible pain relief(p=0.0050), number of subjects with >30% improvement in pain reductionat 24 hours (p=0.0178), number of times subjects required rescueanalgesia in the first 24 hours (p=0.0275) and from 24 to 48 hours(p=0.0009), along with other pain endpoints.

Rescue analgesia (oxycodone 5 mg PO) was available to subjects withinadequately controlled pain during the treatment phase. The number ofrescue doses utilized per subject was significantly lower in eachassessed study interval (Hour 0-24, Hour 24-48, and Hour 0-48) in the IVmeloxicam 30 mg group compared with placebo (p<0.05). The number ofsubjects utilizing rescue in each assessed study interval (Hour 0-24,Hour 24-48, and Hour 0-48) was numerically lower in the IV meloxicam 30mg group compared with placebo (FIG. 3 ). No difference was observed inthe time to first rescue use.

The safety results demonstrated that meloxicam was well tolerated withno difference in adverse event (AE) reporting between the groups. Twoserious AEs (SAES) related to bleeding were reported (one event in eachtreatment group), with two additional SAES reported in the placebogroup. The most common (>2%) treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) in meloxicamtreated subjects were nausea, headache, vomiting, and dizziness, whichwere observed at a lower incidence than in the placebo group. Themajority of TEAEs were mild in intensity, with one subject discontinuingtreatment due to an SAE of post-procedural bleeding (placebo).Investigator assessments of satisfaction with wound healing and variouswound characteristics were comparable between meloxicam and placebogroups. There were no meaningful differences between treatment groups invital signs, ECGs, or clinical laboratory assessments. Notably, only 2subjects (1.8%; n=110) in meloxicam group reported of injection sitepain.

The data from this study demonstrated that meloxicam providedsignificant pain relief in subjects with moderate to severe painfollowing abdominoplasty surgery, with a favorable safety andtolerability profile, as evidenced by SPID₂₄ results and the reductionin opioid rescue use. This study also demonstrated that once dailydosing with IV meloxcam maintained analgesia over the 24-hour dosinginterval.

Example 3: Pharmacokinetics of 30 mg Meloxicam Bolus Dose

This study included 6 subjects (3 male, 3 female), ages 18 to 55 yearswith normal renal function (GFR>90 mL/min/1.73 m²).

Enrolled subjects returned to the study center on the day before dosing(Day −1). During the treatment visit (Day −1 to Day 3), subjectsreceived a single IV dose 30 mg (administered at a concentration of 25mg/mL) meloxicam over infusion time of 15-30 seconds. Whole bloodsamples were collected for pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis prior to dosingand 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and48 hours after dosing.

Subjects were asked to return to the study center daily for PK samplingat Hour 72 (Day 4), Hour 96 (Day 5), Hour 120 (Day 6), and Hour 144 (Day7).

Pharmacokinetics

Meloxicam plasma concentrations and PK parameters observed for T_(max)was 0.08 hours for all subjects, plasma C_(max) geometric mean was 5580ng/mL, and mean t_(1/2) was 17.5 h (Table 2). The plasma AUG_(0−∞),(area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity)geometric mean was 65100 hr˜ng/mL (Table 2). The plasma AUC_(0−t) (areaunder the concentration-time curve from time 0 to last time point withmeasurable concentration) results were similar to plasma AUC₀.

TABLE 2 Summary (Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD)) of PK ParametersParameter N Mean ± SD C_(max) ng/ml 6 5620 ± 713  T_(max) h⁸ 6 0.08(0.08-0.08) AUC_(0-6,) h · ng/ml 6 16300 ± 2170  AUC₀₋₁₂, h · ng/ml 626400 ± 3920  AUC₀₋₂₄, h · ng/mL 6 41000 ± 8670  AUC_(0-t), h · ng/ml 667900 ± 22500 AUC_(0-∞), h · ng/ml 6 68500 ± 22800 T½, h 6 17.5 ± 5.16a: Median (range). AUC₀₋₆ = area under the concentration-time curve fromtime 0 to 6 hours after dosing AUC₀₋₁₂ = area under theconcentration-time curve from time 0 to 12 hours after dosing AUC₀₋₂₄ =area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to 24 hours afterdosing AUC_(0-t) = area under the concentration-time curve from time 0to last time point with measurable concentration AUC_(0-∞) = area underthe concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity

As demonstrated in Table 2, the 30 mg IV dose of meloxicam administeredover 15- to 30-second infusion time has a rapid onset and fastabsorption as demonstrated by T_(max) of 0.08 h (4.8 minutes). Theobserved PK parameter, especially in the first several hours, is uniqueto IV bolus dose of meloxicam as oral meloxicam (e.g., Mobic®) requiresabout 5-7 hours to reach T_(max) after administration. The mean plasmaconcentration of meloxicam at each time point is shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Summary (Mean ± SD) of Meloxicam Plasma Concentration (ng/mL)Time Pout (N) Pro-Dose   0 ± 0.00  5 min 5520 ± 713   10 min 5030 ± 986  20 min 4330 ± 4364  30 min 4160 ± 1020  45 min 3720 ± 801   1 hour 3590± 708   2 hours 2660 ± 394   4 hours 2190 ± 262   6 hours 1880 ± 355  12 hours 1490 ± 351   18 hours 1230 ± 478   24 hours 963 ± 339  36hours 578 ± 251  48 hours 419 ± 246  72 hours 200 ± 144 96+ hours 81.7 ±68.1 120 hours 33.1 ± 31.1 144 hours 13.8 ± 152 

Furthermore, a summary from an additional study including 7 healthysubjects receiving a single dose IV administration of 30 mg meloxicam(infusion time of 1 minute) is shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Summary of a Single-dose Pharmacokinetics of 30 mg MeloxicamBolus Dose (n = 7) Meloxicam 30 mg IV Parameter C_(max) (ng/mL) 5642.9 ±1009.0 T_(max) (h) 0.12 ± 0.04 AUC_(mf) (ng*hr/mL) 107508.7 ± 34443.0 T_(1/2) (h) 23.3 ± 9.36

Lastly, a summary from yet another study comparing PK parameters inhealthy subjects following single and repeat doses (7 consecutive daysof dosing, once a day) of 30 mg meloxicam intravenous dose is shown inTable 5.

TABLE 5 Summary of a Repeat-dose Pharmacokinetics of 30 mg MeloxicamIntravenous Dose (n = 8) Meloxicam Meloxicam 30 mg 30 mg IV Single DoseIV Repeat Dose Parameter C_(max) (ng/mL) 7972.5 ± 2579.9 10632.5 ±4729.8  AUC_(mf) 121437.6 ± 64505.6   297771.6 ± 241604.01 (ng · hr/mLT_(1/2) (h) 23.6 ± 10.1 26.4 ± 10.1

The disclosures of all publications, patents, patent applications andpublished patent applications referred to herein by an identifyingcitation are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In the case of any conflict between a cited reference and thisspecification, the specification shall control. In describingembodiments of the present application, specific terminology is employedfor the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to belimited to the specific terminology so selected. Nothing in thisspecification should be considered as limiting the scope of the presentinvention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting.The above-described embodiments may be modified or varied, withoutdeparting from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the artin light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that,within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

1. A method of treating pain in a patient in need thereof withmeloxicam, (a) comprising administering to the patient a bolus dose ofmeloxicam intravenously, wherein the meloxicam is at a concentration ofabout 30 mg/mL.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the meloxicam ispresent as meloxicam nanocrystals.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thebolus dose of meloxicam is administered to the patient over the courseof about 1 to about 60 seconds.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thedose of meloxicam is administered to the patient over the course ofabout 5 to about 45 seconds.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the doseof meloxicam is administered to the patient over the course of about 15to about 30 seconds.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dose ofmeloxicam is in the range of from about 15 mg to about 180 mg.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, any one of claims 1 6, wherein the dose of meloxicamis about 30 mg.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the dose of meloxicamis about 60 mg.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the dose of meloxicamis present in a volume of from about 0.5 mL to about 4 mL.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the dose of meloxicam is present in a volumeof about 1 mL.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pain ispost-surgical pain.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the dose ofmeloxicam is administered after the patient has undergone a surgicalprocedure.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the surgical procedure isan open surgical procedure.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein thesurgical procedure is a laparoscopic surgical procedure.
 15. The methodof claim 12, wherein the surgical procedure was performed on hardtissue.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the surgical procedure wasperformed on soft tissue.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the pain ismoderate to severe pain.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the pain ismild to moderate pain.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprisingadministering meloxicam to the patient about every 16 hours to aboutevery 26 hours after step (a), and until the patient is no longer inneed thereof
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein meloxicam isadministered to the patient about 18 hours to about every 24 hours afterstep (a), and until the patient is no longer in need thereof